Notophthalmus viridescens 

The Spotted Newt or Eastern Newt is the only representative of the family Salamandridae in metro Atlanta. It is an olive-brown salamander with scattered red spots. The largest spots form a row down each side of the salamander. The belly is yellowish. They have a granular skin and the adults are aquatic with a large tail fold for swimming. They are unique in that they have three life stages, rather than the typical two encountered with most amphibians. Spotted Newts have a larval stage, a juvenile or eft stage (where they are terrestrial and bright orange) and lastly their adult stage where they become aquatic and olive-brown. Spotted Newts can remain in the eft stage for up to 6 years.

They can be found in shallow permanent or ephemeral wetlands with an abundance of aquatic vegetation. Breeding occurs primarily in winter and spring, but can occur throughout the year.

Spotted Newts are KNOWN from both Fulton and Dekalb counties.

Adult Male Breeding

Egg

Larva

Larva2

Juvenile (eft)

Juvenile (eft)

Juvenile (eft)